Hinge assembly for mobile computing device

ABSTRACT

A hinged mobile computing device includes a first housing part and a second housing part coupled by a hinge assembly having a harness, a harness cover, a first hinge body, and a second hinge body. The harness is configured to accommodate flexible printed circuitry and a cable that extend from the first housing part to the second housing part via the hinge assembly. The hinge bodies include respective friction bands, each friction band being configured to engage a respective shaft formed on the harness and having a gear configured to mesh with a respective cog arranged within the harness cover to coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and second housing parts between face-to-face and back-to-back orientations. The hinge assembly further includes a spring-loaded opening mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 63/085,071, filed Sep. 29, 2020, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Hinged mobile computing devices with dual displays offer users theconvenience of added screen space compared to mobile computing deviceswith a single display. Such devices may be used in a variety of deviceposes, offering users new ways of interacting with their devices. Thinbezels are often desired on mobile computing devices to increase theusable display area of the device while maintaining the same overalldimensions of the device. A device with thin bezels and hinged displayswould offer even more screen space for users to enjoy, but heretoforechallenges have existed to their development.

SUMMARY

To address the issues discussed herein, a mobile computing device isprovided. According to one aspect, the mobile computing device may beconfigured as a hinged mobile computing device that includes a firsthousing part and a second housing part coupled by a hinge assembly. Thefirst housing part may include a first display, the second housing partmay include a second display, and the hinge assembly may be configuredto permit the first and second displays to rotate from a face-to-faceorientation to a back-to-back orientation. The hinge assembly mayinclude a harness, a first integrally molded hinge body arranged in thefirst housing part, and a second integrally molded hinge body arrangedin the second housing part. The first hinge body may include a firstfriction band comprising a first gear formed around a first void andconfigured to engage a first shaft formed on the harness, and the secondhinge body may include a second friction band comprising a second gearformed around a second void and configured to engage a second shaftformed on the harness. The harness may be formed to have first recessconfigured to accommodate flexible printed circuitry and a second recessconfigured to hold a cable, and the flexible printed circuitry and thecable may extend from the first housing part to the second housing partvia the hinge assembly.

In some configurations, the hinge assembly may include a harness cover,and the first and second gears may be configured to engage respectivefirst and second cogs housed within the harness cover to controlrotation of the first and second hinge bodies and coordinate a timing ofthe rotation of the first and second housing parts between theface-to-face and back-to-back orientations.

In some configurations, the hinge assembly may include a spring-loadedopening mechanism and an electro-magnetic closure system having a firstmagnet arranged in the first housing part and a second magnet arrangedin the second housing part. The first magnet may be configured to alignwith the second magnet to secure the first and second housing parts inthe closed orientation via a magnetic force. Engagement of a releasebutton on one of the first and second housing parts may actuate anelectric motor included in the first housing part to move the firstmagnet and reduce the magnetic force between the first and secondmagnets. The reduction of the magnetic force may permit the firsthousing part to separate from the second housing part at a predeterminedangular orientation due to a torque of the spring-loaded openingmechanism.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view mobile computing device incorporating ahinge assembly according one example configuration of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 1-20 are scale drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1with the displays removed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show front top and front bottom perspective views,respectively, of a hinge assembly, cable, and flexible printed circuitryof the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 4A and 4B show rear top and rear bottom perspective views,respectively, of a hinge assembly, cable, and flexible printed circuitryof the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows an exploded front perspective view of a hinge assembly,cable, and flexible printed circuitry of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 shows an exploded rear perspective view of a hinge assembly,cable, and flexible printed circuitry of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 shows a flexible printed circuitry of the mobile computing deviceof FIG. 1 in a flat state.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of aflexible printed circuitry and a harness of the mobile computing deviceof FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 9A and 9B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, ofhinge bodies, cogs, and a harness cover of a hinge assembly of themobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a flexible printed circuitry and ahinge assembly of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged assembled view of a hinge assembly of themobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 12A and 12B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of aspring-loaded opening mechanism of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of an electro-mechanical magnetic closuresystem of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an electro-mechanical magneticclosure system of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 shows a front view of an electro-mechanical magnetic closuresystem of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 16 shows a front view of an electro-mechanical magnetic closuresystem of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 after actuation.

FIGS. 17 to 20 show the hinge assembly of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 in different angular orientations.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of a method for a mobile computing deviceaccording one example configuration of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows an example computing system according to oneimplementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 , to address the above identifiedissues, a mobile computing device 10 is provided. The mobile computingdevice 10 may, for example, take the form of a smart phone device. Inanother example, the mobile computing device 10 may take other suitableforms, such as a tablet computing device, a wrist mounted computingdevice, or the like. The mobile computing device 10 may include ahousing 12, which, for example, may take the form of a casingsurrounding internal electronics and providing structure for displays,sensors, speakers, buttons, etc. The housing 12 may have a first housingpart 14 and a second part housing 16 coupled by a hinge assembly 18. Thefirst housing part 14 may include a first display 20, and the secondhousing part 16 may include a second display 22. The hinge assembly 18may be configured to permit the first and second displays 20, 22 torotate between angular orientations from a face-to-face angularorientation to a back-to-back angular orientation.

In one implementation, the face-to-face angular orientation is definedto have an angular displacement as measured from the first display 20 tothe second display 22 of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, an openangular orientation is defined to be between 90 degrees and 270 degrees,and the back-to-back orientation is defined to be between 270 degreesand 360 degrees. Alternatively, an implementation in which the openorientation is not used to trigger behavior may be provided, and in thisimplementation, the face-to-face angular orientation may be defined tobe between 0 degrees and 180 degrees, and the back-to-back angularorientation may be defined to be between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. Ineither of these implementations, when tighter ranges are desired, theface-to-face angular orientation may be defined to be between 0 degreesand 60 degrees, or more narrowly to be between 0 degrees and 30 degrees,and the back-to-back angular orientation may be defined to be between300 degrees and 360 degrees, or more narrowly to be between 330 degreesand 360 degrees. The 0 degree position may be referred to as fullyclosed in the fully face-to-face angular orientation and the 360 degreeposition may be referred to as fully open in the back-to-back angularorientation. In implementations that do not use a double hinge, andwhich are not able to rotate a full 360 degrees, fully open and/or fullyclosed may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1with the displays removed. The mobile computing device 10 may includeflexible printed circuitry 30 arranged in the first and second housingparts 14, 16. As illustrated and described in detail below, the flexibleprinted circuitry 30 is routed from the first housing part 14 to thesecond housing part 16 via the hinge assembly 18. The utilization of theflexible printed circuitry 30 in place of conventionally used coaxialcable allows the hinge assembly 18 to have a smaller profile in themobile computing device 10, which in turn reduces the size of the bezeland provides more available screen space on the first and seconddisplays 20, 22.

As shown in FIG. 2 and described in detail below, the mobile computingdevice 10 may include an electro-magnetic closure system 24 having afirst magnet 26 arranged in the first housing part 14 and a secondmagnet 28 arranged in the second housing part 16. When aligned, thefirst and second magnets 26, 28 may be configured to secure the firstand second housing parts 14, 16 of the mobile computing device 10 in aclosed position via a magnetic force. It will be appreciated that thefirst and second magnets 26, 28 may be configured as single magnets oras a gangs of magnets. When configured as gangs of magnets, the firstand second magnets 26, 28 may be arranged as a Halbach array.

A release button 68 may be pressed to open the mobile computing device10 from a closed position. The release button 68 may incorporate suchfeatures as biometric sensor and/or a power switch. The mobile computingdevice illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes two hinge assemblies;however, a single hinge assembly 18 will be described herein for thesake of clarity. When a mobile computing device is equipped with twohinge assemblies arranged at top and bottom interfaces between the firstand second housing parts 14, 16, it will be appreciated that the hingeassemblies are substantially the same, but rotated at 180 degrees withrespect to one another.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate front top and front bottom perspective views,respectively, of the hinge assembly 18, and FIGS. 4A and 4B illustraterear top and rear bottom perspective views, respectively, of the hingeassembly 18. In an assembled state, the hinge assembly 18 may beconfigured to route the flexible printed circuitry 30 and a flexiblecable 32 from the first housing part 14 to the second housing part 16.The cable 32 is configured to connect an antenna (not shown) from one ofthe first and second housing parts 14, 16 to a main board arranged inthe other of the first and second housing parts 14, 16. It will beappreciated that the cable may be any type of cable suitable forconnecting to an antenna. In the embodiment described herein, the cable32 is configured as a radio frequency (RF) coaxial cable 32. Asdescribed in detail below with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 , theflexible printed circuitry 30 may comprise a first wing 30A and a secondwing 30B joined via a folding portion 30C that is arranged in the hingeassembly 18. The hinge assembly 18 may include a first integrally moldedhinge body 34 configured to be arranged in the first housing part 14 anda second integrally molded hinge body 36 configured to be arranged inthe second housing part 16. The integrally molded hinge bodies 34, 36may be formed of a metallic material via an injection molding process,such as metal injection molding (MIM).

Exploded front and rear perspective views of the hinge assembly 18,flexible printed circuitry 30, and the RF coaxial cable 32 are shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively. As illustrated, the first hinge body 34may be molded to include a first friction band 34A comprising a firstgear 34B formed around a first void 34C. Likewise, the second hinge body36 may be molded to include a second friction band 36A comprising asecond gear 36B formed around a second void 36C.

In addition to the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36, the hingeassembly 18 may further include a harness 38 having a first shaft 38Aand a second shaft 38B, a harness cover 40, and first and second cogs42A, 42B configured to reside within the harness cover 40. In anassembled state, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B may be received bythe respective first and second friction bands 34A, 36A, and the firstand second cogs 42A, 42B may mesh with the respective first and secondgears 34B, 36B. Engagement of the shafts 38A, 38B with the frictionbands 34A, 36A may permit rotation of the first and second hinge bodies34, 36 around respective first and second shafts 38A, 38B, and thuspermit rotation of the first and second housing parts 14, 16 between theangular orientations described above.

The friction bands 34A, 36A provide a frictional force against therespective first and second shafts 38A, 38B that prevents the first andsecond housing parts 14, 16 from rotating in the absence of an openingor closing force exerted by a user. However, the user may easilyovercome the frictional force to move the first and second housing parts14, 16 to a desired angular orientation. It will be appreciated that thefirst and second friction bands 34A, 36A are configured to be externallyfacing. This design allows the diameter of the friction bands 34A, 36Aand shafts 38A, 38B to be larger, thereby increasing the torque andstrength of the engagement of the shafts 38A, 38B with respectivefriction bands 34A, 36A. This configuration further facilitates avariability in the friction torque variable that enhances the behaviorof a spring-loaded opening mechanism 48 included in the hinge assembly,as described below. Additionally, engagement of the gears 34B, 36B withthe cogs 42A, 42B may control the rotation of the first and second hingebodies 34, 36 and coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first andsecond housing parts 14, 16 between the face-to-face and back-to-backorientations.

The harness 38 may be formed to further include a first recess 38Cconfigured to accommodate the flexible printed circuitry 30 and a secondrecess 38D configured to hold the RF coaxial cable 32. The hingeassembly 18 may further include a plate 44 configured to attach to theharness 38 and secure the flexible printed circuitry 30 in the harness38. The plate 44 may be spot-welded to the harness 38. Alternatively,the plate 44 may be bonded to the harness 38 via another method, such asadhesive or glue.

In an assembled state, with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, theflexible printed circuitry 30 and the RF coaxial cable 32 may extendfrom the first housing part 14 to the second housing part 16 via thehinge assembly 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and secondrecesses 38C, 38D are arranged on opposite sides of the harness 38.However, it will be appreciated that the first and second recesses 38C,38D may alternately be arranged on a same side of the harness 38. Asdescribed in detail below, support rods 70A, 70B may be bonded to theflexible printed circuitry 30.

The harness 38 may further include a third shaft 38E and a fourth shaft38F arranged opposite the first and second shafts 38A, 38B. The thirdand fourth shafts 38E, 38F may stabilize the flexible printed circuitry30 when it is seated in the first recess 38C of the harness 38.

To prevent breakage of the first and/or second displays 20, 22 in theevent that the mobile computing device 10 is bumped or dropped, thehinge assembly 18 may include hinge guide stoppers to prevent the hingeassembly 18 from contacting the first and/or second displays 20, 22. Tothis end, a first hinge guide stopper 46A may be positioned between thefirst hinge body 34 and the third shaft 38E of the harness, and a secondhinge guide stopper 46B may be arranged between the second hinge body 36and the fourth shaft 38F of the harness. When the mobile computingdevice 10 is dropped or bumped, the hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B areconfigured to absorb the impact and provide a spatial cushion betweenhinge assembly 18 and the first and/or second displays 20, 22. The firstand second hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be placed after theflexible printed circuitry 30 is installed in the hinge assembly 18, andthe hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be secured to respective hingebodies 34, 36 via welding. However, it will be appreciated that thefirst and second hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be secured torespective hinge bodies 34, 36 with another method, such as a bondingadhesive, for example.

The hinge assembly 18 may include a spring-loaded opening mechanism 48.As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, thespring-loaded opening mechanism 48 may include a first spring 50A and afirst spring seat 52A arranged on a first pin 54A and positioned in thefirst hinge body 34, and a second spring 50B and a second spring seat52B arranged on a second pin 54B and positioned in the second hinge body36. The spring-loaded opening mechanism 48 may further include a firstfollower 56 and a second follower 58. The first and second followers maybe formed such that one end of the follower is orthogonal with respectto the other end of the follower. With this configuration, a first end56A of the first follower 56 may be disposed in a head 54C of the firstpin 54A, and a second end 56B of the first follower 56 may be engagedwith a first cam 38A1 of the first shaft 38A of the harness 38.Likewise, a first end 58A of the second follower 58 may be disposed in ahead 54D of the second pin 54B, and a second end 58B of the secondfollower 58 may be engaged with a second cam 38B1 of the first shaft 38Bof the harness 38. As described below with reference to FIG. 17 , thesecond ends 56B, 58B of the followers 56, 58 may be formed to have aconcave face, and the cams 38A1, 38B1 may be formed to have asubstantially arcuate surface. In an assembled state, hinge covers C1,C2 may be attached to the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36,respectively, to protect the components of the hinge assembly 18.

FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B illustrate how the flexible printed circuitry 30 isconfigured to fold such that the folding portion 30C can be accommodatedin the harness 38 of the hinge assembly 18. FIG. 7 shows a rear view ofthe flexible printed circuitry 30 in an unfolded, flat state. Prior tofolding, the flat flexible printed circuitry 30 is substantiallyU-shaped, with the first wing 30A and the second wing 30B joined via thefolding portion 30C. The folding portion 30C includes one or more pleatsand/or slits 30D that may be horizontally folded to be pleated, forexample, with reference to the position of the flexible printedcircuitry 30 illustrated in FIG. 7 . Once pleated, the folding portion30C may be vertically folded along two axes, indicated by dashed linesin FIG. 7 , to form a seating portion 30E. The U-shape of the flexibleprinted circuitry 30 facilitates the positioning of the first and secondwings 30A, 30B in the respective housing parts 14, 16 when the foldingportion 30C is pleated and folded to create the seating portion 30E thatis subsequently seated in the first recess 38C of the harness 38, asshown in FIG. 8A. Further, the seating portion 30E of the flexibleprinted circuitry 30 that traverses the hinge assembly 18 via theharness 38 can be made to be substantially flat, thereby permitting thehinge assembly 18 to have a reduced profile such that the size of thebezel can be minimized, and the available screen space maximized.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show exploded and assembled, respectively, of theflexible printed circuitry 30 in a folded state, and engaged with theplate 44 and the harness 38. As described above, in the folded state,the folding portion 30C is pleated via the slits 30D and bent to formthe seating portion 30E that is seated in the first recess 38C of theharness 38. Support rods 70A, 70B are bonded to the flexible printedcircuitry at locations adjacent the wings 30A, 30B. As described above,the plate 44 may be configured to attach to the harness 38 and securethe flexible printed circuitry 30 therebetween. FIG. 8B shows theflexible printed circuitry 30 in the folded state and engaged with theharness 38 and the plate 44. In an assembled state of the mobilecomputing device 10, the folding portion 30C of the flexible printedcircuitry 30 resides within the first recess 38C of the harness 38, thefirst wing 30A is bonded to the first support rod 70A and arranged inthe first housing part 14, and the second wing 30B is bonded to thesecond support rod 70B and arranged in the second housing part 16.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of thespatial relationship of the cogs 42A, 42B and the harness cover 40 withthe hinge bodies 34, 36 of the hinge assembly 18. As illustrated, theharness cover 40 may be configured to receive the first and second cogs42A, 42B and hold them in alignment to mesh with the first and secondgears 34B, 36B, respectively.

With reference to FIGS. 8B and 9B, FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of theflexible printed circuitry 30 and the hinge assembly 18 sans the harness38. As shown, the folded flexible printed circuitry 30 may be sandwichedbetween the plate 44 and the harness 38. To assemble the hinge assembly18, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B of the harness 38 may beinserted into the respective friction bands 34A, 36A that are integrallyformed in the hinge bodies 34, 36, as illustrated in FIG. 10 . Theharness 38 may be seated in the harness cover 40, which houses the firstand second gears 34B, 36B and the first and second cogs 42A, 42B. Assuch, each component of the hinge assembly 18 is designed to efficientlyand compactly engage with other components to reduce the size of thehinge assembly 18, which reduces the size of the bezel and provides moreavailable screen space on the first and second displays 20, 22 of themobile computing device 10.

An enlarged assembled view of the hinge assembly 18 is shown in FIG. 11. It will be appreciated that the second hinge body 36 is shown indotted line such that internal components of the hinge assembly 18 arevisible. As illustrated in FIG. 11 and described above, in an assembledstate, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B of the harness 38 may beconfigured to respectively engage the first and second hinge bodies 34,36 via respective voids 34C, 36C formed in the respective friction bands34A, 36A. The first and second cogs 42A, 42B may mesh with therespective first and second gears 34B, 36B. This configuration maypermit rotation of the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36 aroundrespective first and second shafts 38A, 38B, and engagement of the gears34B, 36B with the cogs 42A, 42B may control the rotation of the firstand second hinge bodies 34, 36 to coordinate the timing of the rotationof the first and second housing parts 14, 16 between the face-to-faceand back-to-back orientations. Further, as described below withreference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the first and second cams 38A1, 38B1 onthe shafts 38A, 38B of the harness may be configured as components ofthe spring-loaded opening mechanism 48.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, ofthe spring-loaded opening mechanism 48. As described above withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first spring 50A and the first springseat 52A may be arranged on the first pin 54A, and the second spring 50Band the second spring seat 52B may be arranged on the second pin 54B.The first end 56A of the first follower 56 may fit in a recess in thehead 54C of the first pin 54A. Likewise, the first end 58A of the secondfollower 58 may fit in a recess in the head 54D of the second pin 54B.In an assembled state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the second end 56B of thefirst follower 56 may engage the first cam 38A1 of the first shaft 38Aof the harness 38, and the second end 58B of the second follower 58 mayengage the second cam 38B1 of the first shaft 38B of the harness 38.

As mentioned above and described in detail below, the mobile computingdevice 10 may include an electro-magnetic closure system 24 that securesthe first and second housing parts 14, 16 of the mobile computing device10 in a closed position via a magnetic force. It will be appreciatedthat the magnetic force is strong enough to overcome the torque createdby the spring-loaded opening mechanism. When the first and secondhousing parts 14, 16 are magnetically secured in the closed orientation,the first and second springs 50A, 50B are held in a compressed state bythe engagement of the cams 38A1, 38B1 with the respective followers 56,58. Reduction of the magnetic force permits the first and second housingparts 14, 16 to separate due to the torque of the spring-loaded openingmechanism 48. Specifically, the first and second springs are releasedfrom the compressed state, which releases the potential energy stored inthe springs 50A, 50B. The potential energy released from the springs50A, 50B is transferred to the first and second followers 56, 58 via theengagement of the first ends 56A, 56B of the first and second followers56, 58 with the head 54C of the first pin 54A and the head 54D of thesecond pin 54B, respectively. This causes the second ends 56B, 58B ofthe first and second followers 56, 58 to rotate around the cams 38A1,38B1, thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36 toseparate the first housing part 14 from the second housing part 16 tothe predetermined angular orientation.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are side and perspective views, respectively, of theelectro-magnetic closure system 24 as it would appear in the firsthousing part 14 when the first and second housing parts 14, 16 are inthe closed configuration. As shown, the electric motor 60 includes athreaded portion 62 engaged with a nut 64. The nut 64 is attached to amagnet housing 66 that holds the first magnet 26 via a housing arm 68.

As described above, the magnetic force created by alignment of the firstand second magnets 26, 28 secures the first and second housing parts 14,16 in a closed configuration. FIG. 15 shows a front view of a spatialrelationship between the first and second magnets 26, 28 as they wouldappear when the first and second housing parts 14, 16 are in the closedconfiguration. As illustrated, the first magnet 26 is positionedproximate an electric motor 60. As discussed below, actuation of theelectric motor 60 moves the first magnet 26 in a vertical direction withrespect to the first housing part 14 of the mobile computing device 10.Displacement of the first magnet 26 results in a misalignment betweenthe first and second magnets 26, 28, thereby reducing the magnetic forceand releasing the spring-loaded opening mechanism 48.

FIG. 16 shows a front view of a spatial relationship between the firstand second magnets 26, 28 as they would appear in the first and secondhousing parts 14, 16 after engagement of a release button 68 (shown inFIG. 2 ). When the release button 68 is pressed, such as by a digit of auser, the electric motor 60 may be actuated to rotate the threadedportion 62, which causes the nut 64 to travel along the threaded portion62 and move the first magnet 26 toward the electric motor 60, asillustrated in FIG. 16 . The movement of the first magnet 26 reduces themagnetic force between the first and second magnets 26, 28, which mayrelease the spring-loaded opening mechanism 48, thereby causing thefirst housing part 14 to separate from the second housing part 16 at apredetermined angular orientation. While the release button 68 isillustrated as being on the second housing part 16 in the embodimentshown in FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that the release button may bearranged on either of the first or second housing parts 14, 16.

FIGS. 17 to 20 show the hinge assembly of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 in different angular orientations. It will be appreciated thatthe second hinge body 36 is omitted from FIGS. 17 to 20 to illustratethe elements of the spring-loaded opening mechanism 48. In FIG. 17 , thefirst and second housing parts 14, 16 are in the closed, face-to-faceangular orientation. In this orientation, the second ends 56B, 58B ofthe first and second followers 56, 58 are engaged with the cams 38A1,38B1, which holds the springs 50A, 50B in the compressed state.

In FIG. 17 , the engagement of the followers 56, 58 with the cams 38A1,38B1 is illustrated with reference to the follower 58 and cam 38B1 ofsecond hinge body 36. It will be appreciated that the engagement of thefollower 56 and the cam 38A1 of the first hinge body 34 is configuredlikewise. As described above, the second ends 56B, 58B of the followers56, 58 may be formed to have a concave face, and the cams 38A1, 38B1 maybe formed to have a substantially arcuate surface. This configurationpermits the cams 38A1, 38B1 to nest within respective second ends 56B,58B of the followers 56, 58 when the cams 38A1, 38B1 and followers 56,58 are fully engaged. As illustrated in FIG. 17 , in the closed angularorientation, an arm 58B1 of the second follower 58 contacts a stopper38B2 of the second cam 38B1, thereby causing a gap G between the secondfollower 58 and the second cam 38B1. In this configuration, the spring50B is fully compressed and exerts a biasing force F on the secondfollower 58, causing the second follower 58 to experience a bendingmoment M, since only one side of the second follower 58 is contactingthe cam 38 at stopper 38B2. This moment force supplies the bias torqueto open each display when the magnetic closure is deactivated.

As discussed above, reduction of the magnetic force by actuation of theelectric motor 60 permits the first and second housing parts 14, 16 toseparate due to the torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism 48,which releases the first and second springs 50A, 50B from the compressedstate, thereby releasing the potential energy stored in the springs 50A,50B. This causes the second ends 56B, 58B of the first and secondfollowers 56, 58 to rotate around the cams 38A1, 38B1, thereby rotatingthe first and second hinge bodies 34, 36 to separate the first housingpart 14 from the second housing part 16 at the predetermined angularorientation. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 17 , when the magneticforce is relieved, the biasing force F of the spring 50B causes thesecond follower 58 to rotate outwardly until the concave face of thesecond follower 58 fully seats on the arcuate surface of the second cam38B1, which occurs at the predetermined angular orientation, asillustrated in FIG. 18 .

In the configuration shown in FIG. 18 , the first and second housingparts 14, 16 are open at an angle of 15 degrees in the predeterminedangular orientation upon release of the spring-loaded opening mechanism48. However, it will be appreciated that the predetermined angularorientation of the first and second housing parts 14, 16 may be more orless than 15 degrees. When the first and second housing parts 14, 16reach the predetermined angular orientation, the preloaded springs 50A,50B cease to impart rotational motion to the first and second followers56, 58. With this configuration, the opening of the first and secondhousing parts 14, 16 is coordinated such that they open to the samedegree in a timed manner.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the first and second housing parts open toside-by-side and back-to-back angular orientations, respectively. Whilean equal rotation of the first and second housing parts 14, 16 aroundthe hinge assembly 18 is illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 20 , it will beappreciated that the first or second housing part 14, 16 may beconfigured to rotate more, less, or not at all with respect to the otherof the first or second housing part 14, 16.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of a method 2100 for a mobile computing deviceaccording one example configuration of the present disclosure. Method2100 is preferably implemented on a hinged mobile computing device, suchas a smart phone device. However, it will be appreciated that the method2100 may be implemented on any other computing device that is equippedwith at least one hinge.

At step 2102, the method 2100 may comprise including a first display ina first housing part. Similarly, at step 2104, the method 2100 maycomprise including a second display in a second housing part.

Continuing from step 2104 to step 2106, the method 2100 may includecoupling the first and second housing parts via a hinge assembly. Thisstep permits the first and second housing parts to rotate betweenangular orientations from a face-to-face angular orientation to aback-to-back angular orientation. As discussed above, the first andsecond displays may rotate around the hinge in a range up to 360degrees, thereby enabling the mobile computing device to be arranged ina configuration that best suits the needs of the user for a desiredfunction or environmental constraint.

Proceeding from step 2106 to step 2108, the method 2100 may includeforming the hinge assembly to include a harness, an integrally moldedfirst hinge body arranged in the first housing part, and an integrallymolded second hinge body arranged in the second housing part. Theharness may be formed with recesses to accommodate flexible printedcircuitry and cable, which may be configured as a radio frequency (RF)coaxial cable. The flexible printed circuitry and the RF coaxial cableextend from the first housing part to the second housing part via thehinge assembly.

Advancing from step 2108 to step 2110, the method 2100 may includeforming a first friction band in the first hinge body, the firstfriction band comprising a first gear formed around a first void.Similarly, at step 2112, the method 2100 may include forming a secondfriction band in the second hinge body, the second friction bandcomprising a second gear formed around a second void. The first andsecond gears may be configured to engage respective first and secondcogs housed within a harness cover to control a rotation of the firstand second hinge bodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation of thefirst and second housing parts between face-to-face and back-to-backorientations.

Continuing from step 2112 to 2114, the method 2100 may include formingthe first friction band to receive a first shaft formed on the harness.Similarly, at step 2116, the method 2100 may include forming the secondfriction band to receive a second shaft formed on the harness. The firstand second shafts may be configured to engage with the respective firstand second friction bands, and the first and second hinge bodies mayrotate around the respective first and second shafts.

In some embodiments, the methods and processes described herein may betied to a computing system of one or more computing devices. Inparticular, such methods and processes may be implemented as acomputer-application program or service, an application-programminginterface (API), a library, and/or other computer-program product.

FIG. 22 schematically shows a non-limiting embodiment of a computingsystem 900 that can enact one or more of the methods and processesdescribed above. Computing system 900 is shown in simplified form.Computing system 900 may embody the computing device 10 described aboveand illustrated in FIG. 1 . Computing system 900 may take the form ofone or more personal computers, server computers, tablet computers,home-entertainment computers, network computing devices, gaming devices,mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphone), and/or other computing devices, and wearable computing devicessuch as smart wristwatches and head mounted augmented reality devices.

Computing system 900 includes a logic processor 902 volatile memory 904,and a non-volatile storage device 906. Computing system 900 mayoptionally include a display subsystem 908, input subsystem 910,communication subsystem 912, and/or other components not shown in FIG.14 .

Logic processor 902 includes one or more physical devices configured toexecute instructions. For example, the logic processor may be configuredto execute instructions that are part of one or more applications,programs, routines, libraries, objects, components, data structures, orother logical constructs. Such instructions may be implemented toperform a task, implement a data type, transform the state of one ormore components, achieve a technical effect, or otherwise arrive at adesired result.

The logic processor may include one or more physical processors(hardware) configured to execute software instructions. Additionally oralternatively, the logic processor may include one or more hardwarelogic circuits or firmware devices configured to executehardware-implemented logic or firmware instructions. Processors of thelogic processor 902 may be single-core or multi-core, and theinstructions executed thereon may be configured for sequential,parallel, and/or distributed processing. Individual components of thelogic processor optionally may be distributed among two or more separatedevices, which may be remotely located and/or configured for coordinatedprocessing. Aspects of the logic processor may be virtualized andexecuted by remotely accessible, networked computing devices configuredin a cloud-computing configuration. In such a case, these virtualizedaspects are run on different physical logic processors of variousdifferent machines, it will be understood.

Non-volatile storage device 906 includes one or more physical devicesconfigured to hold instructions executable by the logic processors toimplement the methods and processes described herein. When such methodsand processes are implemented, the state of non-volatile storage device906 may be transformed—e.g., to hold different data.

Non-volatile storage device 906 may include physical devices that areremovable and/or built-in. Non-volatile storage device 906 may includeoptical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray Disc, etc.),semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, etc.),and/or magnetic memory (e.g., hard-disk drive, floppy-disk drive, tapedrive, MRAM, etc.), or other mass storage device technology.Non-volatile storage device 906 may include nonvolatile, dynamic,static, read/write, read-only, sequential-access, location-addressable,file-addressable, and/or content-addressable devices. It will beappreciated that non-volatile storage device 906 is configured to holdinstructions even when power is cut to the non-volatile storage device906.

Volatile memory 904 may include physical devices that include randomaccess memory. Volatile memory 904 is typically utilized by logicprocessor 902 to temporarily store information during processing ofsoftware instructions. It will be appreciated that volatile memory 904typically does not continue to store instructions when power is cut tothe volatile memory 904.

Aspects of logic processor 902, volatile memory 904, and non-volatilestorage device 906 may be integrated together into one or morehardware-logic components. Such hardware-logic components may includefield-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program- andapplication-specific integrated circuits (PASIC/ASICs), program- andapplication-specific standard products (PSSP/ASSPs), system-on-a-chip(SOC), and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), for example.

The terms “module,” “program,” and “engine” may be used to describe anaspect of computing system 900 typically implemented in software by aprocessor to perform a particular function using portions of volatilememory, which function involves transformative processing that speciallyconfigures the processor to perform the function. Thus, a module,program, or engine may be instantiated via logic processor 902 executinginstructions held by non-volatile storage device 906, using portions ofvolatile memory 904. It will be understood that different modules,programs, and/or engines may be instantiated from the same application,service, code block, object, library, routine, API, function, etc.Likewise, the same module, program, and/or engine may be instantiated bydifferent applications, services, code blocks, objects, routines, APIs,functions, etc. The terms “module,” “program,” and “engine” mayencompass individual or groups of executable files, data files,libraries, drivers, scripts, database records, etc.

When included, display subsystem 908 may be used to present a visualrepresentation of data held by non-volatile storage device 906. Thevisual representation may take the form of a graphical user interface(GUI). As the herein described methods and processes change the dataheld by the non-volatile storage device, and thus transform the state ofthe non-volatile storage device, the state of display subsystem 908 maylikewise be transformed to visually represent changes in the underlyingdata. Display subsystem 908 may include one or more display devicesutilizing virtually any type of technology. Such display devices may becombined with logic processor 902, volatile memory 904, and/ornon-volatile storage device 906 in a shared enclosure, or such displaydevices may be peripheral display devices.

When included, input subsystem 910 may comprise or interface with one ormore user-input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or gamecontroller. In some embodiments, the input subsystem may comprise orinterface with selected natural user input (NUI) componentry. Suchcomponentry may be integrated or peripheral, and the transduction and/orprocessing of input actions may be handled on- or off-board. Example NUIcomponentry may include a microphone for speech and/or voicerecognition; an infrared, color, stereoscopic, and/or depth camera formachine vision and/or gesture recognition; a head tracker, eye tracker,accelerometer, and/or gyroscope for motion detection and/or intentrecognition; as well as electric-field sensing componentry for assessingbrain activity; and/or any other suitable sensor.

When included, communication subsystem 912 may be configured tocommunicatively couple various computing devices described herein witheach other, and with other devices. Communication subsystem 912 mayinclude wired and/or wireless communication devices compatible with oneor more different communication protocols. As non-limiting examples, thecommunication subsystem may be configured for communication via awireless telephone network, or a wired or wireless local- or wide-areanetwork, such as a HDMI over Wi-Fi connection. In some embodiments, thecommunication subsystem may allow computing system 900 to send and/orreceive messages to and/or from other devices via a network such as theInternet.

The following paragraphs provide additional support for the claims ofthe subject application. One aspect provides a mobile computing device.The mobile computing device may comprise a first housing part includinga first display, a second housing part including a second display, and ahinge assembly configured to couple the first and second housing partsand permit rotation of the first and second displays from a face-to-faceorientation to a back-to-back orientation. The hinge assembly maycomprise a harness, a first hinge body arranged in the first housingpart, and a second hinge body arranged in the second housing part. Thefirst hinge body may include a first friction band comprising a firstgear formed around a first void. The first friction band may beconfigured to receive a first shaft formed on the harness. The secondhinge body may include a second friction band comprising a second gearformed around a second void. The second friction band may be configuredto receive a second shaft formed on the harness.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, engagement of the firstand second shafts with the respective first and second friction bandsmay permit rotation of the first and second hinge bodies aroundrespective first and second shafts. The first and second gears may beconfigured to engage respective first and second cogs housed within aharness cover to control rotation of the first and second hinge bodiesand coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and second housingparts between the face-to-face and back-to-back orientations.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, a first recess formed onthe harness may configured to accommodate flexible printed circuitry, asecond recess formed on the harness may be configured to hold a cable,and the flexible printed circuitry and the cable may extend from thefirst housing part to the second housing part via the hinge assembly. Inthis aspect, additionally or alternatively, the flexible printedcircuitry may be substantially U-shaped and may comprise a first wingand a second wing joined via a folding portion. In an assembled state,the folding portion may reside within the first recess on the harness,the first wing may be bonded to a first support rod and arranged in thefirst housing part, and the second wing may be bonded to a secondsupport rod and arranged in the second housing part. In this aspect,additionally or alternatively, the hinge assembly may further comprise aplate configured to attach to the harness and secure the flexibleprinted circuitry therebetween.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the harness may furtherinclude a third shaft and a fourth shaft. A first hinge guide stoppermay be arranged between the first hinge body and the third shaft of theharness, and a second hinge guide stopper may be arranged between thesecond hinge body and the fourth shaft of the harness. The first andsecond hinge guide stoppers may be configured to prevent the hingeassembly from contacting the first and second displays.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the mobile computingdevice may further comprise a spring-loaded opening mechanism arrangedin the hinge assembly. The spring-loaded opening mechanism may include afirst spring arranged on a first pin and positioned in the first hingebody and a second spring arranged on a second pin and positioned in thesecond hinge body. In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, thespring-loaded opening mechanism may include a first follower and asecond follower. A first end of the first follower may be disposed in afirst head of the first pin, and a second end of the first follower maybe engaged with a first cam on the first shaft. A first end of thesecond follower may be disposed in a second head of the second pin, anda second end of the second follower may be engaged with a second cam onthe second shaft. When potential energy stored in the first and secondsprings is released, the second ends of the first and second followersmay rotate around the respective first and second cams, thereby rotatingthe first and second hinge bodies to separate the first housing partfrom the second housing part to a predetermined angular orientation.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the mobile computingdevice may further comprise an electro-magnetic closure system includinga first magnet arranged in the first housing part, a second magnetarranged in the second housing part, and an electric motor. The firstand second housing parts may be held in a closed position via a magneticforce between the first and second magnets. In this aspect, additionallyor alternatively, engagement of a release button on one of the first andsecond housing parts may actuate the electric motor to move the firstmagnet. Movement of the first magnet may reduce the magnetic forcebetween the first and second magnets. The reduction in the magneticforce may permit the first housing part to separate from the secondhousing part to a predetermined angular orientation due to a torque ofthe spring-loaded opening mechanism.

Another aspect provides a method for a mobile computing device. Themethod may comprise including a first display in a first housing part,including a second display in a second housing part, and coupling thefirst and second housing parts via a hinge assembly to permit rotationof the first and second displays from a face-to-face orientation to aback-to-back orientation. The method may further include forming thehinge assembly to include a harness, a first hinge body arranged in thefirst housing part, and a molded second hinge body arranged in thesecond housing part. The method may further include forming a firstfriction band in the first hinge body, the first friction bandcomprising a first gear formed around a first void. The method mayfurther include forming a second friction band in the second hinge body,the second friction band comprising a second gear formed around a secondvoid. The method may further include forming the first friction band toreceive a first shaft formed on the harness, and forming the secondfriction band to receive a second shaft formed on the harness.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise configuring the first and second shafts to engage with therespective first and second friction bands, configuring the first andsecond hinge bodies to rotate around respective first and second shafts,and configuring the first and second gears to engage respective firstand second cogs housed within a harness cover to control rotation of thefirst and second hinge bodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation ofthe first and second housing parts between the face-to-face andback-to-back orientations.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise forming a first recess on the harness to accommodate flexibleprinted circuitry, and forming a second recess on the harness to hold acable. The flexible printed circuitry and the cable may extend from thefirst housing part to the second housing part via the hinge assembly. Inthis aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise forming the flexible printed circuitry to be substantiallyU-shaped and comprise a first wing and a second wing joined via afolding portion, bonding the first wing to a first support rod, bondingthe second wing to a second support rod, configuring the folding portionto reside within the first recess on the harness in an assembled state,arranging the first wing in the first housing part, arranging the secondwing in the second housing part, and attaching a plate included in thehinge assembly to the harness to secure the flexible printed circuitrytherebetween.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise forming the harness to include a third shaft and a fourthshaft, arranging a first hinge guide stopper between the first hingebody and the third shaft of the harness, and arranging a second hingeguide stopper between the second hinge body and the fourth shaft of theharness. The first and second hinge guide stoppers may be configured toprevent the hinge assembly from contacting the first and seconddisplays.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise arranging a spring-loaded opening mechanism in the hingeassembly, including in the spring-loaded opening mechanism a firstspring and a second spring, arranging the first spring on a first pinpositioned in the first hinge body, and arranging the second spring on asecond pin positioned in the second hinge body. In this aspect,additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise includingin the spring-loaded opening mechanism a first follower and a secondfollower, disposing a first end of the first follower in a first head ofthe first pin, configuring a second end of the first follower to engagewith a first cam on the first shaft, disposing a first end of the secondfollower in a second head of the second pin, and configuring a secondend of the second follower to engage with a second cam on the secondshaft. When potential energy stored in the first and second springs isreleased, the second ends of the first and second followers may rotatearound the respective first and second cams, thereby rotating the firstand second hinge bodies to separate the first housing part from thesecond housing part to a predetermined angular orientation.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise including a first magnet, a second magnet, and an electricmotor in an electro-magnetic closure system. The method may furtherinclude arranging the first magnet in the first housing part, andarranging the second magnet in the second housing part. The first andsecond housing parts may be held in a closed position via a magneticforce between the first and second magnet. In this aspect, additionallyor alternatively, the method may further comprise configuring a releasebutton to actuate the electric motor to move the first magnet. Movementof the first magnet may reduce the magnetic force between the first andsecond magnets, and the reduction in the magnetic force may permit thefirst and second hinge bodies to separate the first housing part fromthe second housing part to the predetermined angular orientation due toa torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.

Another aspect provides a mobile computing device. The mobile computingdevice may comprise a first housing part including a first display, asecond housing part including a second display, and a hinge assemblyconfigured to couple the first and second housing parts and permitrotation of the first and second displays between angular orientationsfrom a face-to-face orientation to a back-to-back orientation. The hingeassembly may comprise a harness, a first hinge body arranged in thefirst housing part, and a second hinge body arranged in the secondhousing part. The mobile computing device may further comprise aspring-loaded opening mechanism arranged in the hinge assembly. Thespring-loaded opening mechanism may include a first spring arranged inthe first housing part and a second spring arranged in the secondhousing part. The mobile computing device may further comprise anelectro-magnetic closure system including a first magnet arranged in thefirst housing part and a second magnet arranged in the second housingpart. The first hinge body may include a first friction band comprisinga first gear formed around a first void. The first friction band may beconfigured to receive a first shaft formed on the harness. The secondhinge body may include a second friction band comprising a second gearformed around a second void. The second first friction band may beconfigured to receive a second shaft formed on the harness. A magneticforce between the first and second magnet may be strong enough toovercome a torque of the spring-loaded release mechanism. Actuation ofthe electric motor may move the first magnet and reduce the magneticforce, and potential energy stored in the first and second springs maybe released, causing the first and second friction bands to rotatearound the respective shafts and thereby rotating the first and secondhinge bodies to separate the first housing part from the second housingpart to a predetermined angular orientation.

It will be understood that the configurations and/or approachesdescribed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specificembodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense,because numerous variations are possible. The specific routines ormethods described herein may represent one or more of any number ofprocessing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated and/ordescribed may be performed in the sequence illustrated and/or described,in other sequences, in parallel, or omitted. Likewise, the order of theabove-described processes may be changed.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel andnon-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various processes,systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/orproperties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile computing device comprising: afirst housing part including a first display; a second housing partincluding a second display; and a hinge assembly configured to couplethe first and second housing parts and permit rotation of the first andsecond displays from a face-to-face orientation to a back-to-backorientation, the hinge assembly comprising a harness, a first hinge bodyarranged in the first housing part, and a second hinge body arranged inthe second housing part, wherein the first hinge body includes a firstfriction band comprising a first gear formed around a first void, thefirst friction band being configured to receive a first shaft formed onthe harness, and the second hinge body includes a second friction bandcomprising a second gear formed around a second void, the secondfriction band being configured to receive a second shaft formed on theharness.
 2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein engagementof the first and second shafts with the respective first and secondfriction bands permits rotation of the first and second hinge bodiesaround respective first and second shafts, and the first and secondgears are configured to engage respective first and second cogs housedwithin a harness cover to control rotation of the first and second hingebodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and secondhousing parts between the face-to-face and back-to-back orientations. 3.The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein a first recess formed onthe harness is configured to accommodate flexible printed circuitry, asecond recess formed on the harness is configured to hold a cable, andthe flexible printed circuitry and the cable extend from the firsthousing part to the second housing part via the hinge assembly.
 4. Themobile computing device of claim 3, wherein the flexible printedcircuitry is substantially U-shaped and comprises a first wing and asecond wing joined via a folding portion, and in an assembled state, thefolding portion resides within the first recess on the harness, thefirst wing is bonded to a first support rod and arranged in the firsthousing part, and the second wing is bonded to a second support rod andarranged in the second housing part.
 5. The mobile computing device ofclaim 3, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a plate configuredto attach to the harness and secure the flexible printed circuitrytherebetween.
 6. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein theharness further includes a third shaft and a fourth shaft, a first hingeguide stopper is arranged between the first hinge body and the thirdshaft of the harness, a second hinge guide stopper is arranged betweenthe second hinge body and the fourth shaft of the harness, and the firstand second hinge guide stoppers are configured to prevent the hingeassembly from contacting the first and second displays.
 7. The mobilecomputing device of claim 1, further comprising: a spring-loaded openingmechanism arranged in the hinge assembly, the spring-loaded openingmechanism including a first spring arranged on a first pin andpositioned in the first hinge body and a second spring arranged on asecond pin and positioned in the second hinge body.
 8. The mobilecomputing device of claim 7, wherein the spring-loaded opening mechanismincludes a first follower and a second follower, a first end of thefirst follower is disposed in a first head of the first pin, a secondend of the first follower is engaged with a first cam on the firstshaft, a first end of the second follower is disposed in a second headof the second pin, a second end of the second follower is engaged with asecond cam on the second shaft, and when potential energy stored in thefirst and second springs is released, the second ends of the first andsecond followers rotate around the respective first and second cams,thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies to separate the firsthousing part from the second housing part to a predetermined angularorientation.
 9. The mobile computing device of claim 7, furthercomprising: an electro-magnetic closure system including a first magnetarranged in the first housing part, a second magnet arranged in thesecond housing part, and an electric motor, wherein the first and secondhousing parts are held in a closed position via a magnetic force betweenthe first and second magnets.
 10. The mobile computing device of claim9, wherein engagement of a release button on one of the first and secondhousing parts actuates the electric motor to move the first magnet,movement of the first magnet reduces the magnetic force between thefirst and second magnets, and the reduction in the magnetic forcepermits the first housing part to separate from the second housing partto a predetermined angular orientation due to a torque of thespring-loaded opening mechanism.
 11. A method for a mobile computingdevice, the method comprising: including a first display in a firsthousing part; including a second display in a second housing part;coupling the first and second housing parts via a hinge assembly topermit rotation of the first and second displays from a face-to-faceorientation to a back-to-back orientation; forming the hinge assembly toinclude a harness, a first hinge body arranged in the first housingpart, and a second hinge body arranged in the second housing part;forming a first friction band in the first hinge body, the firstfriction band comprising a first gear formed around a first void;forming a second friction band in the second hinge body, the secondfriction band comprising a second gear formed around a second void;forming the first friction band to receive a first shaft formed on theharness; and forming the second friction band to receive a second shaftformed on the harness.
 12. The method of claim 11, the method furthercomprising: configuring the first and second shafts to engage with therespective first and second friction bands; configuring the first andsecond hinge bodies to rotate around respective first and second shafts;and configuring the first and second gears to engage respective firstand second cogs housed within a harness cover to control rotation of thefirst and second hinge bodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation ofthe first and second housing parts between the face-to-face andback-to-back orientations.
 13. The method of claim 11, the methodfurther comprising: forming a first recess on the harness to accommodateflexible printed circuitry; and forming a second recess on the harnessto hold a cable, wherein the flexible printed circuitry and the cableextend from the first housing part to the second housing part via thehinge assembly.
 14. The method of claim 13, the method furthercomprising: forming the flexible printed circuitry to be substantiallyU-shaped and comprise a first wing and a second wing joined via afolding portion; bonding the first wing to a first support rod; bondingthe second wing to a second support rod; configuring the folding portionto reside within the first recess on the harness in an assembled state;arranging the first wing in the first housing part; arranging the secondwing in the second housing part; and attaching a plate included in thehinge assembly to the harness to secure the flexible printed circuitrytherebetween.
 15. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising:forming the harness to include a third shaft and a fourth shaft;arranging a first hinge guide stopper between the first hinge body andthe third shaft of the harness; and arranging a second hinge guidestopper between the second hinge body and the fourth shaft of theharness, wherein the first and second hinge guide stoppers areconfigured to prevent the hinge assembly from contacting the first andsecond displays.
 16. The method of claim 11, the method furthercomprising: arranging a spring-loaded opening mechanism in the hingeassembly; including in the spring-loaded opening mechanism a firstspring and a second spring; arranging the first spring on a first pinpositioned in the first hinge body; and arranging the second spring on asecond pin positioned in the second hinge body.
 17. The method of claim16, the method further comprising: including in the spring-loadedopening mechanism a first follower and a second follower; disposing afirst end of the first follower in a first head of the first pin;configuring a second end of the first follower to engage with a firstcam on the first shaft; disposing a first end of the second follower ina second head of the second pin; and configuring a second end of thesecond follower to engage with a second cam on the second shaft, whereinwhen potential energy stored in the first and second springs isreleased, the second ends of the first and second followers rotatearound the respective first and second cams, thereby rotating the firstand second hinge bodies to separate the first housing part from thesecond housing part to a predetermined angular orientation.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, the method further comprising: including a firstmagnet, a second magnet, and an electric motor in an electro-magneticclosure system; arranging the first magnet in the first housing part;and arranging the second magnet in the second housing part, wherein thefirst and second housing parts are held in a closed position via amagnetic force between the first and second magnet.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, the method further comprising: configuring a release button toactuate the electric motor to move the first magnet, wherein movement ofthe first magnet reduces the magnetic force between the first and secondmagnets, and the reduction in the magnetic force permits the first andsecond hinge bodies to separate the first housing part from the secondhousing part to the predetermined angular orientation due to a torque ofthe spring-loaded opening mechanism.
 20. A mobile computing devicecomprising: a first housing part including a first display; a secondhousing part including a second display; a hinge assembly configured tocouple the first and second housing parts and permit rotation of thefirst and second displays between angular orientations from aface-to-face orientation to a back-to-back orientation, the hingeassembly comprising a harness, a first hinge body arranged in the firsthousing part, and a second hinge body arranged in the second housingpart; a spring-loaded opening mechanism arranged in the hinge assembly,the spring-loaded opening mechanism including a first spring arranged inthe first housing part and a second spring arranged in the secondhousing part; and an electro-magnetic closure system including a firstmagnet arranged in the first housing part and a second magnet arrangedin the second housing part, wherein the first hinge body includes afirst friction band comprising a first gear formed around a first void,the first friction band being configured to receive a first shaft formedon the harness, the second hinge body includes a second friction bandcomprising a second gear formed around a second void, the second firstfriction band being configured to receive a second shaft formed on theharness, a magnetic force between the first and second magnet is strongenough to overcome a torque of the spring-loaded release mechanism,actuation of the electric motor moves the first magnet and reduces themagnetic force, and potential energy stored in the first and secondsprings is released, causing the first and second friction bands torotate around the respective shafts, thereby rotating the first andsecond hinge bodies to separate the first housing part from the secondhousing part to a predetermined angular orientation.